“Ms. Knowles, how are you today?” He smiles at me.
“No comment.” I sip my coffee.
“I haven’t seen you at the gym.” He’s still smiling at me and it’s beginning to creep me out.
“No comment, and there are law to stalking people.” I reminded myself I did the same thing to Trent, but I don’t say it out loud.
“I’m not stalking. I live near the gym and I like to walk around a lot.”
“No comment.” I look away from him, hoping he gets the hint.
“Why were you at the courthouse?” Mr. Creepy-face drops his smile.
“No comment.”
“Was it to see the DA?”
“No comment.”
Junior hums for a second. “So, where’s your boyfriend?”
“I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Trent Baker isn’t your boyfriend? Are you two already engaged or already married?”
“How dare you?” I growl at him. “Less than a year ago he lost his wife and the mother of his child. Have some respect.”
“Would he still be married if you two weren’t having an affair? Or would she still be alive?”
My blood boils. I’m not going to sit here and listen to his idiotic questions or his dumb ass comments. I stand up and look down at him. “You want a quote?”
Junior nods and smirks.
I flip him my middle finger. “Quote that.” And I walk away.
I can’t get over the encounter with Junior. I hate him more than anything. When I talked to Macy, she said if he comes up to me one more time, I could file a harassment complaint.
I don’t want to tell Trent about Junior Mints coming up to me this time. I smile at Trent calling him the same nickname. Trent has been making so much progress; I don’t want anything to set him back. He needs to keep looking forward.
The last time we texted, he had made me feel bad, but I know he didn’t mean to. His daughter was sick and he needed to keep his attention on her.
I study the dress lying out on my bed. I purchased it last week for this event and now I need to find a pair of shoes in my closet to match the lavender silk evening dress. It’s been forever since I’ve bought anything new for me like this. I spent two hours shopping for it and, thankfully, I found it on the clearance rack.
Macy: I can’t come tonight. Sorry.
My heart drops. I’ve been looking forward to this banquet all month. I asked Macy to come with me because I didn’t want to go alone.
Me: Why not?
Macy: A source came through and I’m going to have to write up a story before it goes to print.
Me: Fine.
I can’t argue when it has to do with her job. Macy is so much like me; all we have is our job and I know how much she loves to be a on a deadline.
I made the decision pretty fast not to go to the event. I can’t deal with everyone staring at me and whatnot. I look for my fuzzy slippers and head to my living room.
The Angels’ highlights from yesterday's game are on TV. Trent has two home runs. Wow, how amazing for him.
Me: Saw the HRs. Great job!
I’m sure he’s busy, but I at least want him to know I saw it.
Trent: Thanks! Best part of the job. How’s your day going?
Me: It was good until five minutes ago. How’s yours?
Trent: Good. What happened?
Me: I was supposed to go to an event tonight, but Macy backed out. I’m not going now.
Trent: Why not? If you want to go, you should still go. What kind of event is it?
Me: Nothing big. It’s an annual party for social workers and a bunch of awards are handed out. I’m going to find something on Netflix and drink wine. How Kaelyn feeling?
Trent: She’s all better now, thanks. You should go! If you’re only not going because she backed out, then I could go with you if you wanted.
My mouth drops as I read the screen. I can’t go with him. Can I?
Me: Thanks for the offer, but you need to spend time with Kaelyn, and I don’t want to put you out.
Trent: #1: I know how to manage my time. #2: Can’t put me out if I offered
Me: There’s going to be A LOT of people there. I’m sure more than one will recognize you. This wouldn’t be a good idea.
Trent: But you should go. I’m not worried about other people’s thoughts/assumptions/opinions. So, do you want me to go with you?
I think it over and we’re friends. I planned on going with Macy, who is a friend. The only difference is Trent isn’t Macy.
Me: If you would like to go, I would like you to come. Can you be ready in an hour?
Trent: What do I need to wear?
Me: A tux if you have one or a nice suit is fine too, if you don’t want to wear a tux.
Trent: I’ll be there in an hour.
It takes me almost the whole hour to get ready, but I make it. I slip into my dress. My makeup is perfect, my hair looks okay, and it’s all done by the time there’s a knock on the door.
“Hi.” The butterflies in my stomach flutter when I look at Trent in his black suit.
“Hey.” I watch as he glances over my body. “You look incredible.”
“Thanks. It’s new. I mean I recently purchased it. Not like it’s this season’s or something. Never mind, I’m rambling. Are you ready?”
“Ready if you are.”
Trent holds out his elbow for me to take and my heart skips a beat. He guides me to the car and even holds the door for me. I’m trying my best to hold back the glee written all over my face, but it’s hard.
On the way to the event, Trent mainly talks about baseball. I think it’s a safe topic and an easy one to discuss. Plus, it doesn’t set me on edge any more than I already am.
Trent pulls up to the hotel where the event is being held and valets the car. I attempt to give him money but he shakes his head.
We follow the long line of patrons into the grand ballroom. There are already around two hundred people or so: social workers, directors, and other state officials from all over Tennessee.
“Do you want a drink or do you want to go to the table? You’ll be sitting with a few of my co-workers. If it becomes uncomfortable, we can leave.”
“I’m only here as arm candy, Scarlett,” he jokes and I feel a bit more relaxed. “Whatever you want, I’m just tagging along.”
“I need a drink.” I turn on my heel and head straight for the bar. I can feel people staring at us. Well, mainly Trent. Everyone in Tennessee knows who he is. “Told you so.”
He shrugs as if it isn’t a big deal. “It happens. Are you uncomfortable?”
“Very much so.”
We order our drinks, and just as we leave, I hear my name being called.
“Scarlett.”
“Janie, hello. How are you?” I beam at my old co-worker.
“I’m outstanding. I’m retiring in eight days, six hours, and twelve minutes.”
Trent and I both laugh. “Not counting, are you?”
“No, why do you ask?” She winks. “Hello.” She turns to Trent. “I’m Janie. I used to work with Scarlett.”
“Right, sorry. Janie, this is Trent Baker. Trent, this is Janie Upton. She changed offices a few years ago.”
“Nice to meet you, Trent.”
“Nice to meet you as well.”
“Scarlett, I must say you are doing so well this year. Over ten adoptions and your kids are doing amazingly. I can’t believe you didn’t take that promotion.”
I shake my head and look down at my shoes. “I turned it down because I like the kids I’m working with right now. I can’t leave them.”
“Well, I heard you took the call the other night, and had to go to the West End apartment. How bad was it this time?”
I feel the frown before I can stop it. “I had to remove eight kids and send them to city foster homes. It’s getting so much worse down there.”
“Why do you keep volunteering then?” She tilts her head.
“
The kids need to know someone cares.” There is no other explanation.
“You’re a good person.” She hugs me. “Trent, nice to meet you. I need to head over and find my husband before he drinks anymore.”
Once she’s gone, Trent smirks at me. “So, in additional to your normal hours, you volunteer a lot of your time, don’t you?”
“Yes. A lot of people I work with have their own families, and since I don’t, I take a lot of the night shifts and on-call duties.” It’s not a big deal. I don’t have a family or anyone waiting for me at home.
“You really are amazing. You do it because you care, too, not just because you don’t have your own family.” He squeezes my hand.
I’m embarrassed at his words, and the heat reaches my cheeks. “Yes, I care. I remember how it was in my childhood home.” I stop talking. I didn’t want to bring him down tonight. “Should we find our table?” I change the topic and point to the crowd.
“Sure.” He places his hand on the small of my back and we make our way through the people.
***
I EXPECTED A few heads to turn based on what Scarlett told me, but it seems like every head is turning. I can’t blame them considering the circumstances. I would probably do the same thing. We find our table after being stopped by someone wanting to say hello to Scarlett. She truly does amaze me. She gives everything to her job. That’s worth a lot more than me giving my job my all. She’s doing so much more and making more of a difference than I ever could.
I pull her chair out for her to take a seat and sit next to her as those already at the table fall silent. There’s a man sitting next to me. He breaks the silence by clamping a hand on my shoulder rather roughly. “Trent Baker! Huge fan, man.”
“That’s great,” I smile.
“You’re doing extremely well, all things considered.”
“Um, yeah, thanks.” I angle myself away from him and toward Scarlett. “Do you think they’ll have gummy bears with dessert?”
She giggles. “I’m sure I saw that on the menu somewhere.”
“I’d be happy with either sprinkles or chocolate syrup, too. Or all three. The dessert trifecta.”
She laughs louder, remembering our ice cream day with Kaelyn. “It would be. However, I don’t think they’ll be serving it tonight. Maybe next time, we—” She suddenly stops and turns back to the menu. She almost seems uncomfortable, so I change the subject.
“Hope they aren’t serving anything with pumpkins or apples.”
“How come?”
“I don’t trust anything that’s been involved in fairytales.”
A faint smile graces her lips. “I’m sure the chef isn’t going to give you a poisoned apple, and I highly doubt a pumpkin will turn into a carriage. However, we do the option of steak, chicken, or salmon and none of those are in any princess stories that I know of.”
I smile, happy she went along with it. “Which are you choosing?”
“I’m thinking fish. And you?”
“Chicken.” I glance around the room again and ask, “So, did you want to come to enjoy the event, or are you being honored?”
“Oh no, I’m not receiving anything tonight. I came because, as strange as this sounds, I do try to mingle and make some new contacts. It helps when we’re trying to place foster kids.”
I shake my head, but I can’t help my smile. “Even at a party, you’re still in work-mode. I’m starting to feel like you have way more dedication to your job than I do to mine. Actually, I’m sure you do.”
“Now, that’s not true. You’re a professional baseball player.”
“And you’re still more dedicated than I am.”
“So you think,” she mumbles. “I’m hoping you’re enjoying yourself. Once the awards starts, it’s a real snore.” She rolls her eyes.
“You’re always good company, even during a snooze fest like this.” I grin. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Very much so. Thank you for coming, Trent. Who’s taking care of Kaelyn? You didn’t leave her by herself, did you?” She jokes.
I give her a chiding, but serious look. “I only leave her alone if it’ll be for the entire weekend. Free range parenting and all; it works better for long stretches of time.”
She giggles. “At least she’ll learn some independence, then.”
“She’s five. She needs to learn as much as possible before I kick her out on her eighteenth birthday. But she’s actually with her new nanny, Angie.” I discreetly pull out my phone to make sure I don’t have any missed calls or texts. “Today is her first without my grandmother around as well.”
“So, you did hire a nanny? Wonderful! How does Kaelyn like her? Did you do a background check? If you need help with that, let me know; I have some connections.” Her concern for the well-being of my daughter and her new nanny is endearing.
“I thoroughly checked her out, don’t worry. She seems like a nice kid. Granny approves and Kaelyn seems to like her so far. It still feels weird for me to have her at the house all the time and to leave Kaelyn with her. It’s an adjustment for all of us.”
“As long as you trust her, that’s all that matters. You have to trust your gut on this one.”
“I do. Otherwise, I’d be at home right now.” I laugh.
Dinner is served and throughout the night, I become more amazed by Scarlett. Countless people come up to her, discussing some project she’s working with them on or telling her how well something turned out. When it’s time for the awards, Scarlett nearly falls out of her chair with surprise when she’s called to receive one. It seems to take a while before her shock wears off.
As we’re walking out, I offer her my arm, which she takes. I lean in close to her ear and say, “Is it going to sound bad if I say this turned out better than I thought it would?”
“Is it because I almost passed out when they called my name? I almost stumbled in my dress walking up the stairs.”
“Yes, that was priceless,” I laugh, but I falter when a light flashes.
“Doesn’t this seem like a nice photo for the front of my article in the morning?” It’s none other than Junior Mintzer.
“Don’t you have something better to do? Seriously?” I’m sick of this guy.
“No, because I’m on the edge of writing the best piece of my career. I’m not sure of the headline yet. How about: Baseball Player Had Wife Killed? Too generic?”
His casual tone irks me as I take a step toward him. “You are really testing my self-control. You don’t have a story and you don’t get to mention my wife.”
“Trent,” I feel Scarlett squeeze my arm, “He isn’t worth it. He’s a blogger, not a real reporter.”
She’s right, but it pisses me off that he’s fishing for a story that doesn’t exist. I take a deep breath and nod. “Fine. Let’s go.” We step around Junior, but he doesn’t shut up yet.
“I’m not giving up on you two. I’ll get the evidence I need and everyone will know,” he calls after us.
“You do that.” I clench my fist, trying to get my emotions under control, but I can’t help muttering under my breath, “Un-fucking-believable.”
“He’s a jerk and I’m definitely going to be filing a complaint against him.”
“He’s persistent, I’ll give him that.” I sigh. “I think I might need to give the team a heads up if he’s not going to stop digging for a story that doesn’t even exist. Just what I need.”
“I’m sorry. We both know it’s because of me,” she mumbles. “I knew being friends was going to be a bad idea. No matter how much I like you,” she finishes quietly.
“It’s just as much my fault as it is yours, Scarlett.”
“I think we should just go home.”
I can’t argue with her there. We’re quiet on the drive back. There’s a tension between us that wasn’t there earlier, and it pisses me off that it’s Junior’s fault. I want to lighten the mood between us. I rack my brain for something to say as we stop outside of her front door.
>
“Sorry your night was ruined. At least, you didn’t fall walking up the stairs; that would have made it worse.”
Relief fills me when she softly giggles. “True and my night isn’t ruined. I had a lot of fun with you tonight; it’s been awhile for me.”
“I’m glad I invited myself then. How long is awhile?”
She hesitates, seeming nervous. “The wine tasting and before that, I can’t remember.”
I grin. “That was fun, too. I should go and see if the nanny survived putting Kaelyn to bed,” I chuckle and Scarlett laughs. I give her a hug and add, “Have a good night, Scarlett. See you around.”
“See you around, Trent.” She smiles as we pull away, her arms falling back to her sides.
I start walking back to my car before I turn around and call out to where she still stands on her doorstep. “Make sure you find a reason to wear that dress again. You can’t buy it and only wear it once when you look amazing in it.”
Thanks to the light on her porch, I see her smile, but she only shakes her head at me. I leave and head home. Considering I only checked my phone once tonight, and I never heard from Angie, I’m assuming everything went well.
When I walk into the house, Angie is picking up toys in the living room.
“Hey, how’d it go?”
“Great,” she smiles widely. “She gave me a little fight when I put her to bed because she wanted you to tuck her in, but I managed to get her settled within twenty minutes,” she says with pride.
“Good. Still want to stick around?”
She laughs. “Yes. You have an amazing daughter and sometimes, it doesn’t even feel like work.”
“I’m happy to hear that.”
“Did you have a good night?”
“Yeah, thanks. I’m going to check on Kaelyn and then I’m turning in. Do you need anything?”
Angie shakes her head, and I bid her good night. Kaelyn is sleeping, looking like an angel. Satisfied, I head to bed, the night’s events with Junior Mints coming back around to plague my thoughts.
Trent Page 13
